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Tag: LA KINGS

First Game 7 in franchise history? Check. Thousands of people booing you in Anaheim? Check. Feeling like your going to get a stomach ulcer thanks to stress? Check.

If you were feeling a cocktail mix of adrenaline, stress, and excitement during last night’s (this morning’s) game, then you weren’t watching Game 7 between the Anaheim Ducks and the Nashville Predators. After leading the series 2-0, Nashville managed to lose three in a row to Anaheim, thus bringing Game 6 back to Nashville to face elimination. Do or die for the Preds, Nashville took the ‘do’ and forced a Game 7 back in Anaheim, winning 3-1.

Anaheim was kind to Nashville in Games 1 & 2, but… not so much in Game 5. Nashville managed to survive one ‘do or die’, but could they muster the energy to do it again; especially with everything falling in Anaheim’s favor…

Except one little itty bitty fact: The Ducks have lost Game 7 (at home) four consecutive years. And this fact about goals that led to their losses:

Ducks opponents in Game 72013: 2 goals in first 16:372014: 2 goals in first 8:482015: 2 goals in first 11:552016: 2 goals in first 15:53

As a fairly superstitious person when it comes to hockey, I was not banking on Anaheim to make the same mistake again. Or, for the fourth time. There was just no way. I am glad I was wrong. But we all should have known that Nashville had the series when this guy chose the Predators over the Ducks:

There’s no doubting that Pekka Rinne was on point in Game 6 and, from the first puck drop of the night, the Preds goaltender was blocking shots and taking names. The Ducks would bring the pressure, but it would be Playoff Wilson who would get Nashville on the board first at 6:19:

The second period would be a test for Nashville’s penalty kill, as the Ducks were awarded three different powerplay opportunities in this period alone. I could go on about how questionable some of these calls were, but the NHL refs (on all levels, not just this game) are a story for another time. We will just notate that Ryan Kesler did not receive a penalty for this head smash, which was quite obvious:

Kesler would do this again in the third period but to a helmet-less Barret Jackman. Penalty? Nope.

With their multiple powerplay opportunities, Anaheim would notch 13 shots on goal during the second period, but Rinne and the Nashville PK and defense would hold the Ducks at bay for another twenty minutes.

The penalties would keep coming into the third period, with both teams receiving two powerplay opportunities. Unfortunately, Ryan Kesler managed to score on one of those opportunities, putting the Ducks both on the board and into the game. This goal, of course, gave Anaheim a boost, but it also boosted Nashville’s desperation as well.

Nashville would only get four shots on goal during the third period compared to Anaheim’s thirteen. If that doesn’t tell you how on point Pekka Rinne was last night, I don’t know what will. How about this?

The fact that I am able to speak today is a miracle in itself. Also, the fact that my neighbors did not call the cops is amazing (and slightly terrifying because what if I was in trouble). If you were down at the Plaza Party Lexus Lounge Party, you had an extra special treat to share with all your fellow Preds fans.

After all the bickering and questionable hits and no-calls, it still never ceases to amaze me how professional both teams can be after it is all said and done. It is, after all, a career that they all love:

So, now that we can all somewhat breathe, what’s next? Well, Nashville doesn’t have far to travel. After eliminating the Ducks, and the LA Kings losing, the San Jose Sharks are the last California team to survive… and their Nashville’s next opponent. Here is the schedule:

Game 1 – Nashville @ San Jose – 9:30PM – Friday, April 29th

Game 2 – Nashville @ San Jose – 7PM – Sunday, May 1st

Game 3 – San Jose @ Nashville – 8PM – Tuesday, May 3rd

Game 4 – San Jose @ Nashville – 8PM – Thursday, May 5th

Game 5 – Nashville @ San Jose – TBA

Game 6 – San Jose @ Nashville – TBA

Game 7 – Nashville @ San Jose – TBA

So, you made it through Round 1. Congratulations. Let’s move onward to Round 2.

#Preds are 1st team to win a playoff round in the same season they hosted the All-Star Game as the 2000-01 #Avs. That COL team won the Cup.

With the Colorado Avalanche losing to the Washington Capitals tonight 4-2, the Nashville Predators are officially playoff bound. Fourth time seems to be the charm for Nashville, as they’ve had the opportunity to clinch a spot since March 28th. Of course, as you are probably aware, the Predators have gone 0-3 on their last three games, so it took Nashville’s former head coach to get the job done by knocking off the Avalanche.

Whatever way, Nashville is officially in and since the Blackhawks won and the Wild lost, there’s a good chance the Predators will face either the Kings or the Ducks in the first round. It also looks like the Blackhawks and the Blues will face each other in the first round (if you care).

It’s officially time to #StandWithUs, Smashville. Oh, and finish out the last four regular season games, too.

Did you make it through the entire game last night? I’ll be honest, I conked out at the end of the second period. A lot of you fought the strong hand of the Sandman and are now hooked up to your trusty caffeine IVs while you struggle through the workday. But alas, you have a smile on your face and deem it completely worth the lack of sleep because the Predators extended their record to 7-1-1 after defeating the 5-3-0 San Jose Sharks last night. Want some highlights? We’ve got your highlights:

First Period:

Eric Nystrom was on point from the very beginning, sending a gorgeous one-timer on net passed Martin Jones at 3:22 for an early 1-0 lead. Roman Josi (4) and Paul Gaustad (2) nabbed the assists on Nystrom’s third goal of the young season.

That last tweet by Mr. Bradford needs to be further addressed. The Sharks won 80% of the face-offs in the first period alone. There were 53 face-offs total last night, with San Jose winning 37 and Nashville only winning 16. Eek. Time to panic? No, because as great as they are to win, they don’t necessarily define how the outcome of the game. Nashville is not chasing the puck when they lose (for the most part), which keeps them on the plus side of possessions. Though it is certainly something to work on, it is not a dire situation like other aspect could be (penalty kill, power play, etc.). So, in a nutshell, don’t freak out over win/loss numbers within the faceoff just yet.

Nashville continues down the West Coast with a stop in Los Angeles on Saturday for a special Halloween puck drop of 3PM.

The Predators came out with a little more fire under their belts, but goaltender Louis Domingue interrupted all 13 SOG that Nashville mustered. For someone who has only tended NHL ice once previously to this match, Domingue brought his A-game; a testament to his solid abilities.

Pekka was on point, too, last night, blocking all nine shots-on-goal from the Coyotes in the first period.

SECOND PERIOD:

At 3:26 into the second period, Paul Gaustad collected his third goal of the season with assistance from Taylor Beck (7).

Both Arizona and Nashville were given two power play opportunities, but neither could capitalize on the advantage.

The Coyotes out-shot the Predators eleven to eight.

THIRD PERIOD:

At 7:27 into the third, the Coyotes set the game with a tip-in from Kyle Chipchura, his 4th goal of the season.

Nashville was awarded three power play chances in the third, including one that would follow up to the end of regulation, but they were unable to connect.

The Predators out-shot the Coyotes twelve to eight in the third period.

OVERTIME:

James Neal came to the rescue, scoring his 22nd goal of the season just 2:45 in overtime. Seth Jones (17) and Cody Franson (29) tallied the assists on Neal’s game-winning-goal.

POST GAME NOTES:

The Predators are now 8-0-1 when Paul Gaustad notches a point during the span of a game.

Nashville is also 9-1-2 when Viktor Stalberg is in the lineup.

Gaustad’s goal ends another poignant streak; the eleven-straight games without tallying the first goal. Reminder: six of those eleven resulted in losses.

Cody Franson tallied his first point with the Predators since being traded to the team back in February (and, if we want to get really technical, his first points with the Preds since the 2010-11 season).

With two points, the Predators jump the Anaheim Ducks to reclaim first in the Western Conference and league. That’s an amazing stat in its own, that Nashville was able to lose six-straight and still bounce back into the lead with one win.

Pekka Rinne now has 199 career wins and the Predators franchise now has their 599th win.

The Predators aren’t out of hot water just yet; oh no. Nashville heads further west, taking on all three teams in California before making it back home on Tuesday to face the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks, who Nashville plays Thursday night at 9:30PM, will be desperately looking for a win as they are sitting in fifth in the Pacific Division and just one point behind the Kings.

Columbus, Ohio was the place to be this weekend has the city hosted the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend. As you know, Nashville was chosen as the host city for the 2016 ASG Weekend, which will be an event on its own. But until then, let’s recap the fun that happened this weekend in Columbus… Oh, and for the sake of keeping this post from being ninety pages long, we’ll stick to Nashville’s accomplishments:

Team Foligno:

Nick Foligno – Columbus Blue Jackets

Brian Elliot – St. Louis Blues

Marc-Andre Fleury – Pittsburgh Penguins

Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens

Drew Doughty – L.A. Kings

Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks

Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues

Dustin Byfuglien – Winnipeg Jets

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Arizona Coyotes

Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers

Bobby Ryan – Ottawa Senators

Alexander Ovechkin – Washington Capitals

Anze Kopitar – L.A. Kings

Radim Vrabata – Vancouver Canucks

Ryan Johansen – Columbus Blue Jackets

Zemgus Girgensons – Buffalo Sabres

Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers

Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs

Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks

Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning

Coaching Staff: Darryl Sutter – L.A. Kings

Team Toews:

Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks

Corey Crawford – Chicago Blackhawks

Roberto Luongo – Florida Panthers

Jaroslav Halak – New York Islanders

Aaron Ekblad – Florida Panthers

Mark Giordano – Calgary Flames

Shea Weber – Nashville Predators

Johnny Gaudreau – Calgary Flames

Brent Seabrook – Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Suter – Minnesota Wild

Justin Faulk – Carolina Hurricanes

Filip Forsberg – Nashville Predators

Ryan Getzlaf – Anaheim Ducks

Patrik Elias – New Jersey Devils

Patrice Bergeron – Boston Bruins

Rick Nash – New York Rangers

Tyler Seguin – Dallas Stars

Vladimir Tarasenko – St. Louis Blues

Jakub Vorachek – Philadelphia Flyers

John Tavares – New York Islanders

Coaching Staff – Peter Laviolette – Nashville Predators

As you recall, Pekka Rinne was not included in the All-Star “draft” due to sustaining a knee sprain. Because Filip Forsberg was chosen last for Team Toews, he was the lucky winner of a brand new Honda Accord. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also won a new Honda, as he was chosen last for Team Foligno.

Source: @NHL

Saturday – Skills Competition – Winner: Team Foligno

Despite a good show by Team Toews, it was Team Foligno who reigned in the Skills Competition held on Saturday evening. Both Weber and Forsberg participated in the relay and shootout, but it was Weber who shined – not surprisingly – during the Hardest Shot round.

Shea originally missed his first shot, but more than nailed his second attempt, clocking his shot at 108.5 MPH. Weber certainly won the competition, but missed notching the hardest shot ever recorded, which is held by Zdeno Chara at 108.8 MPH. Forsberg shined in the relay portion, showing off his crazy insane puck-handling skills.

Sunday – All-Star Game – Winner: Team Toews

Though the fell short in the Skills Competition, Team Toews out-powered Team Foligno by a long shot during the actual All-Star Game, winning 17-12. And, believe it or not, though the All-Star Game tends to always have a ton of goals, this was the highest scoring game in its history. Filip Forsberg’s two goals helped get Team Toews to the win, the first goals scored by a Nashville Predator in an All-Star Game. Shea Weber also notched an assist off of Tyler Seguin’s goal.

From the World Wide World of Twitter:

"He's a special player. He's really talented. He sees the ice really well & has great hands." – Johnny Gaudreau on linemate Filip Forsberg.

So that’s a wrap on the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend. Next Stop: Nashville! But before then, the Predators must press forward with the remainder of this season and push into the playoffs. Pekka Rinne should also be re-evaluated soon, along with Ryan Ellis. The Predators return to the regular season this Tuesday as they welcome in the Colorado Avalanche at 7PM.

Our time together was fleeting, dear Mark Arcobello, but alas, it looks as those James Neal has mended from his lower-body injury and is ready to return to the lineup.

Yes, James Neal will return to the lineup tonight against the 23-14-3 Vancouver Canucks tonight and Mark Arcobello, who scored his first goal (eighth of the season) with the Predators back on January 3rd against the Kings.

Neal was expected to return sooner rather than later due in part to participating in practice with the team as of late. It is also worth noting that Eric Nystrom did skate in practice today as well, meaning he, too could be returning to the lineup soon.

There’s no hangover for Nashville after claiming both victory over the Dallas Stars in OT and the No. 1 spot in the League, but there is noteworthy news to be discussed.

After making his NHL debut and scoring his first NHL career goal, Right Winger Miikka Salomaki has been reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals.

Salomaki’s reassignment is more than likely due in part to James Neal, Taylor Beck, and Matt Cullen hitting the ice in today’s practice (along with practicing in more recent ones as well, too). All three are registered on IR, with Neal being the most recent due to a lower-body injury. Matt Cullen (upper-body) and Taylor Beck (illness) should be ready to return to the active roster pretty soon. 12:53PM Update: Both Taylor Beck and Matt Cullen have been activated from the Injured Reserve.

No word has been released on how serious of an injury Ryan Ellis sustained last night. Ellis left the ice during the second period, did not return for the remainder of said game, and did not participate in team practice this morning. It is known, however, to be a lower-body injury of sorts.

Ryan Ellis was walking very gingerly around the locker room after the game. #Preds

Did that title catch your attention? No time to sugarcoat it tonight; oh no. I won’t spoil the fun by telling you what happened here; you need to read the meat and potatoes of the post.

What’s with all the back-to-backs, am I right? After a back-to-back against Chicago Monday and St. Louis Tuesday, the Predators received an extended break for the new year before heading West to take on the LA Kings this afternoon. Of course, tomorrow Nashville hops a block or two tomorrow to take on the Anaheim Ducks. Fun times(Note: I wrote this paragraph before the meltdown).

The Kings wasted no time lighting the lamp as Matt Greene sent a slapshot past Pekka Rinne just 32 seconds into the game.

Mike Fisher quickly tied it up at 4:54 with a wrister past Jonathan Quick; his fifth goal of the season. Roman Josi (18) and Shea Weber (18) tallied the assists.

Not even two minutes later, Colin Wilson would collect the deflected goal off of Matt Greene’s stick; his eleventh of the season. Viktor Stalberg collected his first assist of the season on Wilson’s deflection.

Noteworthy: With eleven goals, Colin Wilson now has as many goals this season as he did all of last season.

Birthday Boy, Ryan Ellis would tally his fourth goal of the season on the powerplay at 9:43 with a speedy slapshot past Quick. Mike Ribeiro (22) and Seth Jones (8) picked up the assists.

Replacing Quick didn’t help at the beginning of the second period, as Mattias Ekholm collected his second goal of the season at 2:16. Craig Smith (10) and Ryan Ellis (11) nab the assists on Ekholm’s goal.

Nashville would continue pounding the Kings just a minute later, as newcomer Mart Arcobello picked up his first goal as a Predator at 3:57; his eighth of the season. Colin Wilson (11) and Paul Gaustad (8) are awarded the assists.

The Kings would not stay down for long, as Alec Martinez flipped a wrister past Rinne to put LA within three.

Dwight King would finish up the second period with another Los Angeles goal, a tip-in assisted by Jake Muzzin and Anze Kopitar.

Third Period:

Olli Jokinen nailed his third goal of the season at 8:38 with a wrist shot past Jones, giving Nashville a 6-3 lead. Gabriel Bourque – who’s been awfully quiet – picks up his fourth assist along with Paul Gaustad (8).

Dwight King picked up his second of the night at 17:59 with some assistance from Jake Muzzin.

Alec Martinez managed to bring it within one, his fifth goal of the season.

…And then Jeff Carter ties it at six at 19:26…

All Predators fans can relate.

OVERTIME:

Noteworthy: The Predators were up 6-3 with two minutes left in the game. SIX-TO-THREE. Why are we having flashbacks to Monday against Chicago? WHY?

Thankfully, it only took Roman Josi (6) eighteen seconds into overtime to seal the win in favor of Nashville. Filip Forsberg (22) and Mike Ribeiro (23) collect the game-winning assists.

Noteworthy: With this overtime assist, Filip Forsberg is now one point away from tying Alexander Radulov’s franchise rookie record.

The Predators nab their first win of 2015 – though they tried to give it to Los Angeles – to give themselves a record of 25-9-3, but – as I write a lot – there’s not time for rest. Nashville has a bout with the leader of the Pacific Division, the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow night at 7PM. The Ducks rest just four points ahead of Nashville in the Western Conference, so it’s easy for me to say that a win in regulation tomorrow night would be splendid indeed. …And less stress on my heart, thanks.

Okay, so heart attack relief comes in the form of the Central Division Standings.

As it says in the Tweet, this is Miikka Salomaki’s first recall in his career, which means this may be his first time hitting the big boy ice. We assume Viktor Stalberg is just as ecstatic.

With a recalls, that means someone isn’t in tip-top shape. Taylor Beck was announced as placed on the IR moments after the announcement of Stalberg and Salomaki, and then, shortly after, Matt Cullen was also placed on the IR. Also noteworthy is the fact that James Neal left the ice early yesterday during practice, but that’s just speculation of an injury or the evasion of one.

I dare you not to stare at the photo of Shea Weber above for more than three seconds; he looks so delighted. And rightfully so as Nashville knocked the defending Stanley Cup Champions (L.A. Kings) in a shootout last night 4-3. Oh yea, and there are some other reasons why Shea might be a little giddy this morning, but we’ll cover that in the highlights of last night’s game:

First Period:

Nashville lit the lamp at 6:24 to get the ball rolling; Craig Smith’s seventh goal of the season. Colin Wilson (5) and Anton Volchenkov (3) pursued the assists on Smith’s goal.

The Kings were quick to put their name on the board, tying it at 11:32 with a goal from Jamie McBain (his first of the season – you’re welcome).

Though both even on the scoreboard, Nashville would send twelve shots-on-goal compared to L.A.’s seven.

Second Period:

Marian Gaborik would give L.A. the lead at just 1:01 into the second, his fourth goal of the season.

It would take a little over seventeen minutes later for Nashville to retaliate with a goal from Ryan Ellis (2). Colin Wilson would pick up his second assist of the night (6) and Craig Smith would collect his first of the night (6). Oh yea, and the first of one of these of the season:

Not even a minute later, Eric Nystrom would tip one in from Taylor Beck (3) and give Nashville a 3-2 lead late in the second. Shea Weber also picked up an assist on Nystrom’s goal, his seventh of the season and – remember when I said he’d have another reason to be happy? – is now the franchise defenseman leader in assists with 223.

Third Period:

Just 38 seconds into the third period, Drew Doughty would sink a clean goal through Pekka Rinne’s five-hole, tying the game.

Though Nashville did everything right to push back into the lead (with a number of nail-biting dings off the post and floating pucks), Martin Jones kept his composure and helped send the game into overtime.

Overtime:

It was clear Nashville was in control during overtime, out-shooting the Kings four to one and keeping Jones on his toes. Unfortunately, no goals were tallied in overtime, thus throwing Nashville into its second-straight shootout.

Shootout:

NSH – Derek Roy – MISS

LAK – Jeff Carter – MISS

NSH – Filip Forsberg – MISS

LAK – Marian Gaborik – MISS

NSH – Ryan Ellis – MISS

LAK – Anze Kopitar – MISS

NSH – Craig Smith – MISS

LAK – Tyler Toffoli – MISS

NSH – Roman Josi – MISS

LAK – Jarret Stoll – MISS

NSH – James Neal – GOAL

LAK – Dwight King – MISS

Phew! For a second there, I thought we were going to have to go through the entire roster and then some! Both goaltenders, Rine and Jones, were on point and one was going to have to budge sooner or later. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, it was Martin Jones who cracked first, a kid who only moved up into the NHL from a stint in the AHL last season. However, the kid is good – when others would flinch under the sight of a Shea Weber cannon, Jones stood tall. With this SO win (and St. Louis’ loss in a shootout against the Senators), the Predators are back atop the Central Division, but St. Louis is still biting Nashville’s heels. The Predators are back in action tomorrow night for a Turkey Day throw-down with our friends from the North, the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers, who have lost their last five games and are sitting dead at the bottom of the Pacific Division, will be another possible “Florida Panthers scenario” if the Preds don’t mind their p’s and q’s. By assuming Nashville will overpower and kick the Oilers to the curb is as inaccurate as they come. The Oilers are due and win and punting Nashville on an American holiday is just what the doctor ordered.

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